Mid-year Reshuffle Completes The Thaksin Purge

[farangsay]

Mid-year reshuffle completes the Thaksin purge

By Veera Prateepchaikul for BangkokPost.com

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's former classmates at Class 10 of the Royal Chulachomklao Military Academy who escaped the first wave of reshuffle after the Sept 19 coup have now all been removed from key military positions.

The mid-year reshuffle in the three armed forces announced on Wednesday was endorsed by His Majesty the King, and will take effect as of April 1.

An informed source noted that the reshuffle completed the CNS consolidation of controlling power of key military positions in the three armed forces. Even some senior officers deemed loyal to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont have been sidelined, the source added.

Informed military observers said the mid-year reshuffle saw the complete purge of Thaksin's military classmates from the important military positions in all three armed forces.

Among the most prominent officers sent out was Gen Pornchai Kranlert, deputy chief-of-staff of the three armed forces, who would assume the new post as an adviser attached to the Office of the Defence Permanent Secretary.

Lt-Gen Sujate Wattanasook, commander of the Second Army Region and said to be close to former defence minister and Thai Rak Thai party heavyweight Thammarak Issarangkoon na Ayudhya, is to become a special adviser attached to the Office of the Permanent Secretary.

His transfer reportedly stemmed from his failure to curb the ''undercurrent'' problem in the Northeast which is under the jurisdiction of the Second Army Region.

Lt-Gen Chatchai Thavornbutr, deputy chief-of-staff of the army, a former close aide of Thaksin, would move to the Office of the Defence Permanent Secretary as an adviser.

Informed military sources said that several members of Class 9 who were believed close to former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh were also moved out of key positions, because of suspicions they could pose a threat to the Council for National Security.

Apart from Lt-Gen Sujate, commander of the Second Army, the reshuffle also saw a purge of many key army positions in the second army - officially for failure to curb the problem of ''undercurrents'' in the region. Many new faces were picked to fill the vacancies in the second army.

The new second army commander is Lt-Gen Suchit Sitthiprapa, promoted from deputy chief staff officer of the army commander.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=117580

Sonthi loyalists put in key military positions

Thaksin's classmates sent to inactive posts

WASSANA NANUAM & YUWADEE TUNYASIRI

Council for National Security chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin has made a mid-year military reshuffle that removes from key posts senior officers perceived as loyal to old powers and replaces them with trusted soldiers. A highly-placed source in the Defence Ministry said members of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School's Class 10, reputedly loyal to their classmate deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have been moved to inactive posts.

Gen Pornchai Kranlert, once a candidate for the army's top job, becomes special adviser at the Defence Permanent Secretary's Office. Assistant air force chief ACM Sukampol Suwanthas, once in line for the top post, becomes a senior specialist in the service.

Vice Adm Sivichai Sirisalee, commander of the Marine Corps and linked to rumours of a second coup early this month, becomes navy adviser.

Second Army chief Lt-Gen Sujet Wattanasuk, long seen as inactive in tackling political undercurrents in the Northeast, has been shifted from the job as had been speculated.

School fires and anti-coup leaflets have proliferated in the Northeast, where security was his responsibility. Lt-Gen Sujet is promoted to full general, and joins Gen Pornchai as a special adviser at the Defence Permanent Secretary's Office.

Leading members of Class 9 have also been blocked from important posts, as they are seen as close to former deputy army chief Gen Vichit Yathip.

A rising star during Thailand's difficulties over the Cambodian war 20 years ago, Gen Vichit is a close aide of former prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, whose relationship with the CNS has soured.

Key allies of the CNS who were promoted include Maj-Gen Malai Kiewthieng, commander of the 1st Special Warfare Division, who is named assistant army chief of staff for operations.

But one promotion clearly shows Gen Sonthi will only put a person he trusts in a vital post.

That is the appointment of Maj-Gen Jittipong Suwaset, 1st Army deputy commander, as chief of Air Defence Command even though he has no related experience. Even though he is a Class 9 member, he maintains close relations with Gen Sonthi.

''Gen Sonthi is afraid of a second coup, so he sends his man to take charge at the Air Defence Command. He does not take a chance with Maj-Gen Pharit [Julkarangkha], who is second in line,'' a source said.

For some observers, the appointment of Maj-Gen Sunai Sampattawanich as chief of the Special Warfare Command showed the extent of Gen Sonthi's confidence in his position. Speculation was rife that this post would go to Maj-Gen Phuchong Rattanawan, who is very close to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont even though he graduated in Class 10.

Maj-Gen Phuchong was named adviser at the Defence Permanent Secretary's Office, but promoted to lieutenant-general, apparently as a consolation. ''This is an indication that Gen Sonthi wants people he can fully trust to take command posts after his retirement,'' said the source.

The mid-year transfer also involves command posts at the provincial level especially in the North and the Northeast _ a move widely seen as an attempt to cripple the former ruling Thai Rak Thai party in the general election expected towards the end of this year.

This has reinforced growing speculation Gen Sonthi may tighten his grip on power. Gen Sonthi is due to retire from the army at the end of September, but will stay on as CNS chairman.

Gen Sonthi has sent his personal aide, Lt-Gen Sujit Sutthiprapa, to take charge at the Second Army. In the Third Army, Maj-Gen Weerawat Tansuhat, commander of the 32nd Army Circle in Chiang Rai, moves to the Defence Permanent Secretary's Office. He was Mr Thaksin's classmate at Chiang Mai's Montfort school.

The list involves 456 high-ranking military officers, the source said. It was prepared by Gen Sonthi and then forwarded to Defence Minister Gen Boonrawd Somtas and the prime minister. No revisions were made.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/22Mar2007_news01.php

[Jai Dee]

Sonthi looks to the future

Army reshuffle puts trusted aides in key places to help ensure things stay on course after he retires later this year

Yesterday's announcement of the mid-year military rotations was a watershed event in the line of succession - for those who will take power when Army chief and junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin retires in September.

The armed forces reshuffle will take effect on April 1.

The new line-up of 456 officers shows two important trends: the rise of the Pre-Cadet Class 9 clique as the dominating force in the Army, and Sonthi's rearguard tactic to leave trusted aides as vanguards for the future.

Sonthi may be uncertain on what the future holds for him after the next general election but at least he has the loyalty of his top brass to catapult him into power - or ensure a golden retirement.

Under Sonthi's intervention, Lt General Sujit Sithiprapa is set to become commander of the Second Army Region, while Maj General Sunai Sampattawanit will take charge of the Special Warfare Command.

Sujit is an inner-circle aide of the junta leader and seen as close to the Class 9 clique, although he is a Class 8 graduate. His appointment comes at a crucial juncture, as the Northeast is slated to be a decisive battleground for the next coalition government.

Sunai is from Pre-Cadet Class 11 and known for his staunch loyalty to Sonthi as the two share the kindred spirit of the Special Warfare Corps. Sonthi's choice of Sunai is seen as his trump card to safeguard his future.

With the promotion of Maj General Jittipong Suwanseth as commander of the Anti Aircraft Artillery Command, the Pre-Cadet Class 9 clique now has complete control over all the major combat forces.

Army Chief of Staff General Montri Sangkhasap is the de facto leader of the clique and his influence in naming Sonthi's successor is expected to increase along with the clout of his fellow officers.

In contrast to the ascent of Montri's clique, Pre-Cadet Class 10 officers are now seen as quickly moving into obscurity because of their past ties with ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Class 10 officers like General Pornchai Kranlert and Air Chief Marshal Sukamphol Suwanthat have been moved twice in six months from key positions to lesser jobs and inactive assignments.

Pornchai has descended from assistant Army chief to deputy joint chief of staff to be a special adviser in the Defence Ministry.

Sukamphol will also become a "senior expert" - a fall from his heyday when he looked to be the heir apparent at the Air Force.

Lt General Chatchai Thawornbutr, Thaksin's former military aide, will lose his coveted position as deputy Army chief of staff and move to an inactive post in the Defence Ministry.

But the Class 10 graduates are far from being in the dustbin of history.

Assistant Army chief General Anupong Paochinda remains a top contender to succeed Sonthi and Lt General Sanit Phrommas is slated for reassignment. He will be elevated to a four-star general.

Sanit, the former commander of the Second Cavalry Division, was promoted upstairs following the September 19 coup.

Amid the horse trading among the top brass, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont managed to promote his military aide Lt General Ninnart Beaokaimook to a four-star general.

Ninnart will continue to serve in Government House although his new position is the Army's senior expert.

Key rotations include the promotion of outgoing Second Army Region commander Lt General Sujet Watanasuk to a four-star general in the Defence Ministry. Sujet is due to retire in September.

Lt General Woradej Phumijitr, Sonthi's fellow graduate from Pre-Cadet Class 6, will be promoted as chief staff officer for the Army chief, a four-star position.

Source: The Political Desk - The Nation - 22 March 2007

[chownah]

The army dictators tighten their iron grip on the country....these adjustments will make it easier to oust any democratically elected gov't if it doesn't kiss cheeks with the military.

[blaze]

Sonthi looks to the future

Army reshuffle puts trusted aides in key places to help ensure things stay on course after he retires later this year

Amid the horse trading among the top brass, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont managed to promote his military aide Lt General Ninnart Beaokaimook to a four-star general.

Lt General Woradej Phumijitr, Sonthi's fellow graduate from Pre-Cadet Class 6, will be promoted as chief staff officer for the Army chief, a four-star position.

Source: The Political Desk - The Nation - 22 March 2007

And this isn't cronyism because.....?

Edited March 22, 2007 by blaze

[Siripon]

Sonthi looks to the future

Army reshuffle puts trusted aides in key places to help ensure things stay on course after he retires later this year

Amid the horse trading among the top brass, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont managed to promote his military aide Lt General Ninnart Beaokaimook to a four-star general.

Lt General Woradej Phumijitr, Sonthi's fellow graduate from Pre-Cadet Class 6, will be promoted as chief staff officer for the Army chief, a four-star position.

Source: The Political Desk - The Nation - 22 March 2007

And this isn't cronyism because.....?

Because cronyism means giving your buddies lucrative contracts at the expense of the public, there's no sign General Sonthi has any interest in benefitting financially from the promotions, he's merely trying to protect his freedom whwn he retires in October.

[lotus eater]

Sonthi looks to the future

Army reshuffle puts trusted aides in key places to help ensure things stay on course after he retires later this year

Amid the horse trading among the top brass, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont managed to promote his military aide Lt General Ninnart Beaokaimook to a four-star general.

Lt General Woradej Phumijitr, Sonthi's fellow graduate from Pre-Cadet Class 6, will be promoted as chief staff officer for the Army chief, a four-star position.

Source: The Political Desk - The Nation - 22 March 2007

And this isn't cronyism because.....?

Because cronyism means giving your buddies lucrative contracts at the expense of the public, there's no sign General Sonthi has any interest in benefitting financially from the promotions, he's merely trying to protect his freedom whwn he retires in October.

Precisely, and aptly, put.

And it's all a far cry from the billionaire predecessor's predilections.

[ZhangYimou]

"Because cronyism means giving your buddies lucrative contracts at the expense of the public, there's no sign General Sonthi has any interest in benefitting financially from the promotions, he's merely trying to protect his freedom whwn he retires in October."

[ZhangYimou]

"Precisely, and aptly, put.

And it's all a far cry from the billionaire predecessor's predilections."

Write this down somewhere and then read it again in 5 years and see what you think. History has a strange way of repeating itself in politics.

[wintermute]

Sonthi looks to the future

Army reshuffle puts trusted aides in key places to help ensure things stay on course after he retires later this year

Amid the horse trading among the top brass, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont managed to promote his military aide Lt General Ninnart Beaokaimook to a four-star general.

Lt General Woradej Phumijitr, Sonthi's fellow graduate from Pre-Cadet Class 6, will be promoted as chief staff officer for the Army chief, a four-star position.

Source: The Political Desk - The Nation - 22 March 2007

And this isn't cronyism because.....?

Because cronyism means giving your buddies lucrative contracts at the expense of the public, there's no sign General Sonthi has any interest in benefitting financially from the promotions, he's merely trying to protect his freedom whwn he retires in October.

Precisely, and aptly, put.

And it's all a far cry from the billionaire predecessor's predilections.

That's a rather optimistic and foolish appraisal of the situation. You could say the worst militaristic regimes weren't out to blatantly enrich themselves but they certainly did bring their nations to ruin. With corrupt political regimes at least the emphasis is on keeping the goose laying the golden eggs alive. With a military one "unorthodox" ideologies and drastic curtailing of basic human rights seems to be the norm. I have absolutely no faith that if Sonthi was put in charge he would be progressive at all. Just look at some of the ideologies he's advocated in the past and the saber rattling he did with Singapore. In my opinion he's more dangerous than Thaksin ever was.

Edited March 23, 2007 by wintermute

[blaze]

"Because cronyism means giving your buddies lucrative contracts at the expense of the public, there's no sign General Sonthi has any interest in benefitting financially from the promotions, he's merely trying to protect his freedom whwn he retires in October."

Actually you are wrong- that is not the meaning of cronyism- and to suggest that rank in the Thai army does not carry financial benefits is... naive.